Chapter 619

Although there were some setbacks along the way, the meeting concluded smoothly half an hour later.

"Ling Shuang is one thing, but Xu Jingming is just a young prodigy who hasn't fully grown—how dare he reprimand me?"

After the senior officials left the meeting hall, only Liu Shan and the other two remained; Gan Gui could no longer hold back, his face dark as he let out a cold snort.

As the vice-director of an eighth-rank middle-tier Grand Master, where had he ever gone without being treated with respect? How could he have been scolded like this?

Especially since the other party was merely a twenty-year-old kid.

"Xu Jingming has astonishing talent and won first place in the Talent Competition—he does have grounds for arrogance."

Director Liu Shan said coolly, "That's why I specifically invited George from the Holy Spirit Martial Arts Pavilion to deal with him."

If Xu Jingming can defeat George, fine.

If he can't, and brings shame to our Thunder Martial Arts Pavilion, he'll naturally lose the right to be arrogant anymore.

The same goes for Ling Shuang—if she doesn't complete her mission within five days, I'll have ways to hold her accountable."

As director, as long as he doesn't make a mistake, Su Qingli can't find an excuse to remove him from his position.

Conversely, if Ling Shuang makes a mistake, she'll lose her credibility too.

And the Thunder Martial Arts Pavilion is his home turf—dealing with Ling Shuang and Xu Jingming is just a matter of a few words.

If this attempt fails, wait for the next one; if that still doesn't work, do it again and again.

After all, this is his home turf—he has all the time in the world.

But Ling Shuang is different—if she makes no tangible progress,

Within a year at most, Su Qingli will likely abandon her ambition to seize control of the Oceanic Continent Martial Arts Pavilions and recall Ling Shuang back to Great Xia.

As for Xu Jingming, Liu Shan admitted, he truly has astonishing talent.

He might reach the eighth rank in no more than five or six years, his actual combat power surpassing even mine as director.

But no matter how strong his combat power, he can't forcibly seize my position.

Unless Xu Jingming's strength exceeds the rule-makers of Great Xia—General Chairman Zhou Yuanwu.

If that day ever comes, I'll gladly hand over my position with both hands.

Of course,

By that point, Xu Jingming could do as he pleased throughout all of Great Xia—he wouldn't even care about this tiny branch pavilion of mine.

"Gan Gui is still vice-director. Your scolding has surely earned you his hatred."

Don't do that again next time—you're creating enemies for no reason."

Outside the Thunder Martial Arts Pavilion building, the moonlight was bright, and the streetlights illuminated the entire structure in clear clarity.

Xu Jingming walked home toward the villa, beside him Ling Shuang wore the pavilion uniform, accentuating her graceful, curvaceous figure as she spoke softly.

Though her words were a denial, the corners of her red lips clearly betrayed a satisfied smile from being defended.

"Our arrival already infringed on their interests—whether they hate us or not doesn't matter."

Besides, he's just an A-rank eighth-rank middle-tier Grand Master.

He's not even worth my attention as an enemy."

Xu Jingming grinned, his tone brimming with confident strength.

Oceanic Continent has an enormous number of ferocious beasts—give him more time.

Acquiring enough ability points to level up and gain combat power stronger than Gan Gui's won't be a problem.

"Just came back from Qingfeng Secret Realm and your tone's already changed? Looks like you had a good haul?"

Ling Shuang asked with a smile on her lovely face.

"Mm."

Xu Jingming nodded and summarized:

"Obtained an SSS-grade cultivation resource, found a rare sixth-rank peak plant life."

Also, I successfully advanced from sixth-rank lower-tier to sixth-rank middle-tier."

Upon hearing this, Ling Shuang froze in surprise.

Wow, that's quite the haul!

And how did he get that SSS-grade cultivation resource?

She remembered the highest reward was only SS+ grade.

"And… you leveled up again?"

The higher an ability user's rank, the harder it is for others to discern their level—unless they actively activate their ability and reveal their aura.

Thus, although Ling Shuang sensed Xu Jingming had grown stronger upon his return, she hadn't known the reason.

She'd assumed it was merely a breakthrough in body cultivation or spirit refinement—but she hadn't expected it to be a full rank advancement.

And it had been less than two months since he last advanced from fifth-rank upper-tier to sixth-rank.

"A minor rank every two months—if this continues, you'll become an eighth-rank Grand Master in under a year."

After taking a deep breath and absorbing the news, Ling Shuang spoke again:

"I was worried about your match against George from the Holy Spirit Martial Arts Pavilion, but now I see I was overthinking it."

Based on Xu Jingming's combat power shown in the Talent Competition, fighting George would've been extremely difficult.

But now that you've leveled up, it's no longer an issue.

"Still, eighth-rank Grand Master ability users aren't as weak as you imagine—even an A-rank one."

Ling Shuang warned seriously, "Seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks—these three tiers for ability users.

Once you ascend, your power undergoes a qualitative transformation; crossing ranks becomes far harder.

I estimate you'll need to reach seventh rank before you can defeat an A-rank eighth-rank Grand Master."

"Is the gap really that big?" Xu Jingming frowned.

After reaching sixth-rank middle-tier, he felt his combat power was roughly equal to that of an A-rank seventh-rank peak Master.

By this progression, when he reaches sixth-rank upper-tier, he should already have eighth-rank combat power.

"Don't believe me? When we get back,

Enter the virtual world yourself, pick an eighth-rank lower-tier Grand Master as your opponent, and fight one match—you'll see."

Xu Jingming's power growth was simply too fast.

And along the way, he'd almost always fought across ranks, leading to a mistaken perception of eighth-rank Grand Master strength.

As his teacher, Ling Shuang had to correct his thinking.

Otherwise, he might suffer serious consequences later!

"Alright, I'll go test it when I get back," Xu Jingming nodded.

Having reached sixth-rank middle-tier, he truly needed to understand his own combat limits.

"By the way, what's this 'Butterfly Cult' mission Director Liu mentioned?

Is it hard to complete? Do you need me to help?"

Xu Jingming asked.

"I was just about to tell you—this mission does require your cooperation."

Ling Shuang smiled and briefly described the Butterfly Cult's background and the gathering scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

"At 9 PM tomorrow night, you'll attend the gathering as my husband—is that time okay?"

When she said the word "husband," Ling Shuang's expression turned slightly awkward.

"It's my honor to pretend to be your husband—I'd never refuse," Xu Jingming declared solemnly.

But inwardly, he muttered to himself:

Given the Butterfly Cult's religious beliefs, this gathering again requires a male-female pair to enter.

This gathering—could it really be what I think it is?

As for Catherine asking him to dinner tomorrow night—he'd have to postpone it...